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children the doctrines and duties of religion. It is through this instruction, as a means, that the Holy Spirit operates on the tender mind of youth, and often brings it to the love and obedience of the Gospel. But instruction implies something more than the ver

adjoining room was appropriated for conversation and prayer, with such as wished further explanation of the subject of discourse, or assistance in regard to its practical application to themselves, and urged all who were present, whose minds were seriously impressed, to tarry after the more pub-bal communication of truth;-it implies lic services were concluded.

Several accepted this invitation; but Mr. S. did not. On his way home, in answer to the inquiries of the good woman, who had induced him to come to meeting, he admitted that he had seen his situation, as he had never seen it before, and felt anxious for the salvation of his soul. When asked why he did not go into the " inquiry room," he declined assigning his reasons, though he said he very much wished to go.

that it be brought home to the soul of the child, so as to become a part of its own mental and moral furniture. This cannot be done, ordinarily, by mere oral teaching. The truths taught must be embodied, and made to stand out in prominent relief in living example.

marks has recently come to my knowAn instance exemplifying these reledge. It was as follows:-A mother, who was indefatigable in endeavouring Some days after this Mr. S., by the found all her efforts unavailing. In to teach her little daughter to pray, grace of God, was brought to rejoice in vain she urged, in language suited to a the hope of salvation through a crucified Redeemer. He then confessed, that she was under to God for health, food child's apprehension, the obligations the reason why he would not go into and raiment, friends, &c., and her conthe inquiry room, was this-that hestant dependence on him for protection had just before meeting taken his even-from every ill. She never went to her ing dram, and should the minister con- chamber to perform this duty without verse with him, his potation would be reluctance. discovered by his breath, and he was so conscious of the utter incongruity of ardent spirits with religion, that he dared not go there in his present state.

At length she thought within herself, "I have begun at the wrong end, I have only now and then prayed Here was an individual, who, perwith my daughter." From that time haps, up to the hour of his going to she took a different course. She led meeting on that evening, had never the girl to the room where "prayer doubted the lawfulness of moderate was wont to be made," and, without drinking. But no sooner were his eyes pressing her to pray, kneeled down by opened to see himself a sinner, than her side and prayed with her. This such were his convictions of the turpi- was repeated thrice during the day. tude of the use of ardent spirits, that In a short time, the child, contrary to he dared not present himself where he all previous habit, commenced the pracso much wished to be, because he felt tice of retiring, of her own accord, three there was an awful contradiction be-times a day, in imitation of her mother, tween this destructive indulgence and and praying in secret to her Heavenly the care of the soul. His conscience Father. Then it was that the previous loudly preached the doctrine of total instruction, which had so long seemned abstinence, and ever since that period, bear fruit. All the considerations of to be in vain, began to spring up and Mr. S. has most scrupulously abstained from the use of this moral as well as and sinfulness, that before seemed inGod's goodness, her own dependence physical poison. W. operative in her soul, now became the burden of her devotional exercises; and the hope is indulged, that even a change of heart has been wrought in this once stubborn and prayerless child.

EXAMPLE PETTER THAN PRECEPT. [Furnished by a Layman.] The Holy Scriptures clearly inculcate the duty of parents teaching their

R.

VOL. IV.

Go,............PREACH the GOSPEL............ Mark xvi. 15.
How shall they PREACH except they be SENT?....Rom. x. 15.

FEBRUARY 1, 1832.

MONTHLY CONCERT.

NO. 10.

ADDRESS TO PERSONS ASSEMBLED AT THE MONTHLY CONCERT FOR PRAYER.

CHRISTIAN BRETHREN:

Ar these consecrated seasons, the pious mind enlarges its sphere of vision, and expands its benevolence beyond the narrow limits of its ordinary interests, and seeks to compass in its affections and prayers, the great family of man. But we cannot, on any one occasion, take a minute survey of the whole world; it is necessary therefore that we confine our attention to some particular portion of it. Let us, on this evening, fix our minds on the UNITED STATES,-their great importance in a religious point of view, and the prospect of their becoming wholly converted to God.

Perhaps no country on the globe, of equal extent, affords such facilities for sustaining a dense population as this. The soil is fertile; there are within our reach, without depending on foreign aid, the productions of almost every climate, from the coldest to the hottest. There are within our borders no vast deserts, and, comparatively, little territory so mountainous as to be unfit for the support of man. Our inland waters are numerous, and afford unlimited facilities for internal navigation. Here, then, on the vast extent of this country, are yet to be supported, in process of time, perhaps hundreds of millions of souls. The spiritual condition of such a great multitude may well be an object of interest to us who live now in the infancy of this republic, and who have the formation of the character of many generations committed to our instrumentality. Shall these unborn myriads love God and cultivate the amiable and holy virtues, or shall they be a vast unhumbled people, abandoned of heaven to blasphemy and licentiousness? Shall the sun shine upon the numberless cities which in the next century will cluster along our lakes, and on our water-courses, and his light be reflected from habitations of righteousness, and the temples of religion, or shall he shed his reluctant rays upon a land blighted by infidelity, and wasted by crime, and on a people whose abominations have cried to heaven, until they shall have been given over, to dig with their own hands the grave of their liberties? In a word, shall the future millions of America be saved or lost? These are inquiries which give us some idea of the importance of thoroughly evangelizing this country.

But there is another consideration by which this may be illustrated, and that is, the United States will not stand or fall alone. This country is destined to exert an unequalled influence on the character and destiny of other nations. The nature of our institutions, social and political, fit us to acquire and to wield greater power abroad, than probably any other people. In Europe, we behold an aggregation of independent kingdoms, having different languages, laws, and religious views. In all of them we see the people split up into grades, so separated from each other as to have but little mutual influence. Between the different ranks of society there are chasms almost impassable. In such communities, truth spreads slowly; opinions are propagated with comparative difficulty; it is almost impossible to create a unity of interest, or impress upon the whole population a homogeneous character. But in this country it is different. We have no artificial distinctions between the nobility and the common people; all VOL. IV.

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are equal; all claim the right of canvassing and deciding on the claims of every new practice or opinion. We all speak the same language, have the same civil and social character. Intelligence circulates with immense rapidity throughout all classes of the community, and from one end of the land to the other. Every improvement in the arts, or theory of science, or doctrine of religion, that is broached in one section of the country, immediately becomes the property of the whole nation, and is rejected or embraced, almost without regard to territorial divisions. These circumstances give a unity of character to Americans, that can never be possessed by any other people. The moral power of America will therefore be the power of a whole nation-it will make a deep impression wherever it is exerted. Now, let us bear in mind, that these free institutions, and these elements of influence, belong to a people which in 50 years will amount to 40 millions,-who go abroad into every land, and sail on every sea, and who speak a language that will undoubtedly be the language of all North America, (except Mexico,) of New Holland, South Africa, and of the Southern Islands, as well as of Great Britain.* Bear these things in mind, and the religious importance of this country becomes indescribable. The conversion of this nation will be, in effect, the conversion of the world. But let this be an irreligious people, let the giant energies of this republic be exerted to scatter abroad infidelity and crime,-let our ships carry a moral pestilence from our shores, and bear it away to the distant oceans where cupidity or enterprise may allure them, and, humanly speaking, the conversion of the world will be impracticable.

And now the question rushes upon the mind,-what prospect is there that all this nation will be converted? "The whole earth," says the pious soul, “will eventually be brought to own the sway of Jesus, when the long expected Millenium arrives;" but what are the signs of its approach, and, especially, what indications are there that the renovation of our beloved country draws nigh?

In answer to this inquiry, we would not speak with too much confidence, but there are many conspiring circumstances which seem to foretoken the coming of the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ.

First. We would gratefully acknowledge the rapid diffusion of religious truth. Facilities for obtaining and imparting instruction exist in number and perfection before unequalled. As a consequence, truth is spreading, and the obstacles which are always thrown in the way of religion by ignorance, are diminishing.

Secondly. The church of God is waking up. The various divisions of the American Zion are moved by a simultaneous desire to promote the work of the Lord.

Thirdly. There is increasing unity of feeling and effort between different denominations. It is true there seem to be some struggles in the church, but they are between members of the same communion, and not between different sects. There is a sifting process going on; principles are investigated, light is contending with darkness, and liberality with bigotry, in all denominations, and thus the mental freedom and mutual attraction of all are increasing, as the sun of righteousness rises higher, and men are more warmed by his rays.

Fourthly. The numerical and pecuniary strength of Christians in this country is sufficient for promoting any of those measures, which are necessary, as instruments, to bring about the conversion of this country. "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but spiritual," and therefore we may resort to no means but such as operate directly on the moral character of men. But all these we may and can employ. We can educate the ignorant; we can publish and circulate the scriptures; we can sustain missions, and all similar enterprises which the cause of souls and of our Redeemer may demand.

Finally. Though the considerations already mentioned are not to be despised, yet our great hope is not in them. "Not by might, not by power, but by my

* See Address of Prof. Hodge, Home Miss. Vol. II. p. 18.

Spirit, saith the Lord." After all that is or can be done, our reliance is only on God. The Holy Spirit can bring down the stoutest and tallest of his enemies. Sinners in high places, and those of low degree, are equally within the compass of his power; and that eye must be blind to the mighty works of God, who does not see in the events of the past year, intimations that a great change is about to take place. Many hundreds of persons of learning and influence have been converted; the salt of grace has been cast into the fountains of science. The cities and large towns of our country have been the scenes of glorious revivals; and thus, much of the influence which went forth from them to spread evil, is employed to promote holiness. Among the people,-the substantial elements of the nation, the same reforming process has been going on, under the Spirit of the Lord. One hundred thousand persons, it is estimated, have been made the subjects of renewing grace within the last few months. And when we think of the richness of the promise, and that there are no restrictions to the grace of God but such as are made by the unbelief of his people, and remember the fact, that we have only begun to believe and pray, and taste the truth and sweetness of God's promise, and that we have a hundred thousand hearts now believing and praying in unison with ours, whose influence was lately against us,-we cannot but see reason to hope, that the day of Zion's redemption draweth nigh. Our joyful anticipations leap forward towards the glorious period of our country's salvation; and though at present the hoarse curse of infidelity, and the anathemas of bigotry, grate upon our ear, we hear, sweetly rising above the tumult, the reviving voice of our Redeemer, "FEAR NOT, LITTLE FLOCK, IT IS YOUR FATHER'S GOOD PLEASURE TO GIVE YOU THE KINGDOM."

CORRESPONDENCE OF THE A. H. M. S.

MISSOURI.

Letter from Monroe Co., Mo. This county (formerly the western part of Ralls,) was set off by the legislature of Missouri last winter. The population is upwards of twenty-five hundred, and rapidly increasing. It has two flourishing towns recently come into notice. Florida is a town beautifully situated on an elevated spot, at the junction of the two principal forks of Salt river. These streams afford many eligible sites for mills; four have been already put in successful opera. tion, and another is building. Woodland is likely to be scarce at no distant period, as much of the country is prairie. But as a substitute for wood, we have abun dance of stone coal. The other town mentioned, is Paris, the county seat, which promises in time to be a place of considerable note. There are no less than ten neighbourhoods within 30 miles of my residence, where I should be glad to preach. On the north fork, I have preached to full houses where there was only one Presbyterian family. On the south fork, I have done the same: the professors there are principally Baptists. Two Sabbaths since,

I preached the first sermon that was ever preached in Florida. The people very generally attended, and heard the word with apparent seriousness and attention.

Within five miles of Mount Prairie there

is quite a settlement of Catholics. A lady told me last summer, that forty families of Catholics had settled in this region within two years, and that many more were coming. There are two Presbyterian Churches, Mount Prairie and Pleasant Hill. The former has nine members and the latter twelve. There is a good pros. pect that in a little time, these churches, with the blessing of God on the labours of ministers, may be built up, and others established.

ILLINOIS.

From the Rev. T. Lippincott, Alton.

I have consented to leave my dear charge in Collinsville in the hands of Mr. Brooks, and accordingly, on last Sabbath, bade them farewell in a sermon from 2 Cor. 13, 11, and some remarks at night, chiefly on Acts 20, 32. It was a melting

and a solemn time, particularly at night.even the permanent settlers are so occu I thank the Lord for the strong ties which pied with new purchases, with building, had to be rent, though it made the heart arranging their business, &c. that it would bleed. The state of things is still interest-seem next to impossible to devote the reing. I was compelled to be absent much quisite time and thought to religion; and of the time for two or three months, and then it is so natural to quiet conscience feared the consequences: but the atten- amidst these real, and to some extent, untion has been pretty well kept up ever avoidable difficulties, by saying, with the since the four days meeting. Several are sinner, "When I have a more convenient anxious. A new case or two occurred season I will attend to it." Even in the last Sabbath. I think the whole number| best circumstances, the force of past who entertain hopes since the excitement custom operates adversly in a mixed popu. commenced, is above twenty. Several lation;-viz. custom as to the mode of have joined other churches. I commit worship, the singing, praying, mode of this church to the care of brother Brooks, conducting meetings. These are so va(who will labour there and at Belleville,) at||rious, and so deeply interwoven into their the most interesting moment in its history; most sacred feelings, that it requires no and pray the great Head of the church common exercise of forbearance to con. that the work of the Lord may prosper in tinue long together with one accord in one his hands. Although I received many place. precious tokens of regard from them in parting, they acquiesce in the change, on the ground that the general welfare of the church will be promoted.

The number of those who experienced hopefully a change of heart, at the time of the four days meeting in August, and subsequently, is not known; perhaps there are ten or twelve in all.

A new church has recently been organ. ized, by order of Presbytery, 6 miles east of Jacksonville, consisting of about 30 members; most of them from the Jackson

For want of a convenient house in this place, we are obliged to defer a communion meeting too long. Several stand ready to join by letter, and one on profession. I have marked out for myself several spots about 10 or 12 miles off as points of opera-ville church. The prospect of great good tion, and expect to commence on my return from Vandalia, to which I go next week to attend the anniversaries of our State Societies.

I had the satisfaction to see twenty young persons at the table of the Lord, in Bethel, the week after Synod, who had united after the meeting in July.

by this new arrangement appears to be encouraging. This is now the second church set off from the Jacksonville church, which 3 years and a half ago had but 14 members.

Our Sabbath schools have progressed; but they have been hindered considerably for want of primary books.

Last evening a special meeting of the Morgan Co. Bible Society was held in Jacksonville, with a view of again supplying our county, and taking measures for raising money to pay our debt to the parent Society. Some of these measures were to recommend the formation of auxiliary associations in the county, and also a Fe. male Bible Society in Jacksonville.

Rev. Mr. Hardy, the state agent, gave a valuable discourse on the subject, and such a state of feeling exists as promises a good result.

From Rev. J. M. Ellis, Jacksonville. We have had several 4 days meetings in this section of the state, with some good fruit; but we have not realized all the permanent good effects which we had fondly hoped. We have uniformly been disappointed in respect to a long continued revival, such as are enjoyed at the East. The attempt to assign reasons for this result is attended with very painful feelings. There are circumstances in a newly settled! country, even in those places where the people have commenced permanent settle. ments, which are doubtless less favourable to a continued revival than in the better! You will be pleased to learn, that on regulated congregations, in the older Sabbath Oct. 29, a Presbyterian church states. And where the earlier settlers are of six members was organized, and the continually leaving and going further Lord's Supper administered, in this village. toward the frontier, giving place to newThus the "Ark of the Covenant has set emigrants, the difficulties in the way of a forward in a three days' journey northcontinued revival are augmented. But ward, and searched out a resting place"

From Rer. A. Kent, Galena.